Parks Service Nixes Removing Picnic Pavilions at Fort Hunt Park
NPS will release new plan in early 2012
After reviewing public comments on its proposed plans for Fort Hunt Park over the past couple months, the U.S. National Park Service announced Thursday it will not move forward with the plan that would remove historic picnic pavilions.
NPS officials told Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland the new plan—to be released early next year—will reflect the concerns of the public in regard to the removal of the picnic structures and will support citizens' calls for pedstrian and bike trails.
“I applaud the National Park Service for agreeing to go back to the drawing board with its plans for Fort Hunt Park in response to concerns Supervisor Hyland and I voiced, and the strong sentiments of citizens in southeastern Fairfax County,” Connolly said in a press release.
“Our community is strongly opposed to closure of the picnic pavilions at Fort Hunt and I appreciate that the Park Service took those concerns to heart and abandoned its plans to close them,” Hyland said.
ET1221
1:49 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thanks for the good news!
Constantine S Costa Manolas
8:43 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thank you to everyone to wrote to the NPS and offered proactive opportunities. Change is inevitable, but can only work when it is all inclusive. Please provide an advanced release of infomation for the proposed "new" plan so as conversations could begin and an exchange of views start before any deadlines are set in stone. Costa Manolas, FHHS '71
Ray
6:15 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Let's hope they also keep the loop which is a safe place for biking, walking, and learning to drive and is open year round for those who want to get out in the fresh air. Nothing was said and that gives me pause.
ET1221
3:38 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I thought a Gazette cover picture regarding the 9/11 celebrations/commemorations featuring a gathering at C Pavilion said it all. It showed a smaller pavilion, in perfect condition in patriotic service as a remembrance ceremony. Why would anyone want to tear down that which is in good repair and in want/need of use?